Spectroscopic investigation of phase transformation of calcium oxalate dehydrates (renal calculi) using acidic Bryophyllum pinnatom powder.

Urolithiasis is one of most common renal disorders, characterized by the formation of kidney stones (renal calculi) through the crystallization process within the urinary system. The frequently observed renal calculi are calcium oxalate renal calculi and treatment is done by shock wave method or lithotripsy which is harmful for other cells of the internal system. The objective of this work was to evaluate in vitro diagnosis of calcium oxalate kidney stones in the aqueous solution of Bryophyllum pinnatum. The B. pinnatum powder was mixed in apple cider vinegar and lemon juice separately to make solution 1 and 2 respectively. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice were used as solvents due to their acidic and body compatible nature. Two surgically removed stones was dipped in solution 1 and 2. After two weeks, kidney stone of weight 2.7 g is completely dissolved in solution 2 while a considerable weight reduction of other kidney stone has been observed in solution 1. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results show the presence of two strong absorption peaks at 610 and 912 (cm-1) in both solutions after dissolution of urinary stones are related to calcium oxalate dehydrate (COD). Raman spectra further confirm the dissolution of COD in solution having Raman shifts at 504 and 910 (cm-1). Cluster formation and aggregation of particles has been observed in scanning electron microscopy images. This in vitro study proves that a mixture of Bryophyllum pinnatum powder and lemon juice is a best remedy to remove kidney stones.

Corrigendum to "Target and Non-target effects of Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla combined extract on Culex pipiens mosquitoes" [Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 28(10) (2021) 5773-5780].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.06.024.].

Association Between Obesity and COVID-19 Disease Severity in Saudi Population.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has placed a significant burden on the scientific and medical professions. The study examined the association between body mass index (BMI), stratified by category, and severe form of COVID-19, and to explore the influence of demographic characteristics and other known risk factors. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis based on COVID-19 data from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health. Data were collected for all patients admitted to three main hospitals in Riyadh region between March 1st and July 30, 2020. The effects of BMI, demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and comorbidities on infection severity were investigated. Results: A total of 950 patients were included in the study (70% male, 85% aged younger than 60 years old). A total of 55 (5.8%) patients were underweight, 263 (27.7%) were normal weight, 351 (37%) were overweight, 161 (17%) were obese class I, 76 (8%) were obese class II, and 44 (4.6%) were obese class III. Cough, fever, and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms among overweight patients. According to the findings of a bivariate logistic regression study, class III obesity was significantly associated with a more severe form of COVID-19 (odds ratio, 2.874; 95% confidence interval, 1.344-6.149). Conclusion: This study revealed that patients with a BMI ≥40 kg/m2 had a higher risk of severe COVID-19 than those with normal weight. This suggests that obesity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 and influences disease presentation.

Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles of the Red Sea Sponge Phyllospongia lamellosa Supported by Metabolomics Analysis and Docking Study.

BACKGROUND: The Red Sea sponges have been endorsed as a plentiful source of bioactive compounds with promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities; therefore, exploring their potential as a source of anti-cancer metabolites has stimulated a growing research interest. PURPOSE: To investigate the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory potential of the Red Sea sponges, in their bulk and silver nanostructure. Metabolomics analysis of the selected sponge followed by molecular docking studies, will be conducted to explore and predict the secondary metabolites that might provide its capability of inhibiting cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prepared a chloroform extract (CE) and ethyl acetate extract (EE) of the Red Sea sponge Phyllospongia lamellosa synthesized silver nanoparticles. The prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized through UV-vis spectrophotometric, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Testing for their anti-cancer activities was performed against MCF-7, MDB-231, and MCF-10A cells. Anti-inflammatory activity against COX-1 and 2 was assessed. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics analysis and molecular docking were also applied.

CPMPARISON between COVID-19 and MERS demographic data in Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study.

The outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19) caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 began in Wuhan, China, resulting in respiratory disorders. In January of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic owing to its global spread. Because no studies have investigated COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, this study investigated similarities and differences between demographic data during the COVID-19 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective trend analysis was performed to assess demographic data of all laboratory-confirmed MERS and COVID-19 cases. Patients' charts were reviewed for data on demographics, mortality, citizenship, sex ratio, and age groups with descriptive and comparative statistics; the data were analyzed using a non-parametric binomial test and chi-square test. Of all COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia,78%were male patients and 22% were female patients. This proportion of male COVID-19 patients was similar to that of male MERS patients, which also affected male patients more frequently than female patients. The number of COVID-19-positive Saudi cases was lower than that of non-Saudi cases, which were in contrast to that of MERS; COVID-19 appeared to be remarkably similar to MERS with respect to recovered cases. However, the numbers of critical and dead COVID-19 patients have been much lower than those of MERS patients. The largest proportion of COVID-19 and MERS cases (44.05% and 40.8%, respectively) were recorded in the Western region. MERS and COVID-19 exhibited similar threats to the lives of adults and the elderly, despite lower mortality rates during the COVID-19 epidemic. Targeted prevention of and interventions against MERS should be allocated populations according to the areas where they inhabit. However, much more information regarding the dynamics and epidemiology of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia is needed.Abbrevation : MERS: Middle East Respiratory syndrome; COVID-19: Corona Virus Disease 2019.

Common Co-morbidities Are Challenging in the Diagnosis of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a relatively recent human disease reported initially in Saudi Arabia in September, 2012. Morbidities investigation includes a process of excluding other possible options until certain suspected cases are confirmed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we formulated a model under the authorization of the Saudi Ministry of Health to accurately identify cases among admitted suspected cases depending on specific signs and symptoms. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for confirmation of the positive cases. RESULTS: The results showed that the number of patients with combined symptoms of fever/sore throat and fever/cough/SOB was significantly higher in confirmed cases than in non-confirmed cases (p<0.05). Besides, the number of confirmed MERS-CoV cases was significantly higher among cases included in the study than excluded cases. It was also clearly demonstrated that fever combined with other symptoms represents 60% of the confirmed cases, which is significantly higher than for cases with other combined symptoms (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, there are no appropriate diagnostic models that can differentiate human MERS-CoV infection among other respiratory infections. Therefore, we recommend the adoption of this newly established model of MERS-CoV to short- list corona suspected cases in Saudi Arabia.